DC postsecondary school bonds.
From $100. Enter your amount.

A licensed DC postsecondary institution posts a surety bond with the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) to protect student tuition. HELC sets the amount from your enrollment and net tuition, so it varies by school. The premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — enter the figure HELC requires, complete the application, and your exact price appears in the calculator.

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Required by the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) under D.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 13

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Amount sized to student enrollment and annual net tuition — whichever produces the higher tier

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1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — the application collects no credit information; enter your required amount and your exact price appears

1% of amount$100 minimumNo SSNin the applicationFastinstant underwriting

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How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No long underwriting queue for the standard school bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with HELC. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your institution’s details, the bond amount HELC required, and the effective date — that is the entire application.

USUALLY MINUTES

Issued

The application collects no credit information — the executed bond is generated once you pay. Larger amounts may get a quick review.

SAME DAY

File with HELC

Submit the executed bond with your HELC license application or renewal. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the postsecondary bond actually covers

The District licenses degree-granting and non-degree postsecondary schools through the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) under D.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 13 (the Education Licensure Commission Act). A licensed school posts a surety bond as a student-protection guarantee.

The bond stands behind the tuition students have paid — if a school closes or fails to deliver the instruction it sold, students can recover against the bond. HELC sets the amount on a tiered schedule driven by enrollment and annual net tuition, using whichever is higher; non-degree schools commonly land between $5,000 and $20,000, while larger degree-granting institutions can be required to post substantially more.

It is a three-party arrangement: the school (the principal), the surety carrier, and the District (the obligee), with students as the protected parties. It is not insurance for the school — if the surety pays a claim, the school repays the surety. Enter the figure on your HELC notice and complete the application to see your exact price, starting from $100.

D.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 13 (HELC)District of Columbia postsecondary institutions are licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission under D.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 13. HELC sets the surety bond amount on a tiered schedule based on student enrollment and annual net tuition, whichever yields the higher tier. Confirm the exact amount on your HELC bond worksheet or license notice.

You need this bond if you are

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A degree-granting institution licensed or seeking licensure through HELC

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A non-degree postsecondary school — career, trade, or certificate programs

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Renewing your HELC license whose prior bond is expiring

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Crossing an enrollment or tuition tier that raised your required bond amount

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with the bond amount HELC set — the executed bond is generated, ready to file.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the DC postsecondary bond?The premium is 1% of your bond amount, $100 minimum. The amount itself is set by HELC from your enrollment and net tuition, so it varies by school. Enter the figure on your HELC notice and complete the application to see your exact price in the calculator.

How does HELC decide the bond amount?HELC uses a tiered schedule based on student enrollment and annual net tuition, whichever produces the higher tier. Non-degree schools commonly run $5,000 to $20,000; larger degree-granting institutions can be required to post more.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information. Most applications approve instantly; if a check ever runs, it’s a soft pull that won’t affect your score.

What does the bond protect?Students’ paid tuition. If a school closes or fails to deliver what students paid for, students can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, the school repays the surety.

Where do I file it?With the Higher Education Licensure Commission, as part of your license application or renewal. We issue the executed bond ready to submit.

Related bonds

Other District of Columbia bonds.

Postsecondary bond, issued today.

Priced from $100. Enter the amount HELC set and file the same day.

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DC postsecondary school bonds.From $100. Enter your amount.